Media That Carried Me through This School Year

Songs: 

“Gnaw” By Alex G: Gnaw is off of Alex G’s debut LP which was remastered in 2010 and was uploaded on streaming services that year as well. This song seems to be about a specific character trying to solve other people’s problems and eventually this person responds wrong. Gnaw can be defined as “cause persistent and wearing distress or anxiety,” so basically, this character is combatting gnaw. “Gnaw” has a fun and more upbeat sound, which makes the song even more addicting to listen to. “Gnaw” is a song that I played regularly throughout the year, specifically during the wintertime. Alex G was one of my most-listened-to musicians this school year as well, due to the reason that almost all of his songs are relatable in one way or another. 

“Lorelei” By Cocteau Twins: The Cocteau Twins is a Scottish alt-rock band that was popular during the 80s and 90s for its shoegaze and dream-pop sound. All of their songs have an ethereal and downbeat mood to them. Particularly “Lorelei,” which has an emotional bridge that has fantastical tones and earthy moods embedded in the song. The first time I listened to this song I was overwhelmed by the whimsical lyrics, amazing guitar riffs, and the addicting female vocals that are hard to understand, but soft and introspective. This song is incredibly comforting and made a bad school day a little less miserable with every listen. I simply cannot praise this song enough, as it is genuinely one of the most beautiful and angelic songs that I have ever heard or experienced. It is simply marvelous. 

“San Marcos” by BROCKHAMPTON: San Marcos was simply a song I listened to consistently throughout the whole school year. San Marcos explains the boybands want and need to leave their past behind them and start new. This song was particularly relatable as it represents wanting more from life than struggles and depression, trying to find and experience the good in life rather than being taken over by your issues. BROCKHAMPTON has been a very important band throughout all of my years in high school, and this particular song has helped me get through this year. As “Tonya,” helped me get through my sophomore year, and “Ginger” my freshman year. The euphoric outro of the song which repeats, “I want more out of life than this / I want more, I want more,” lingers with the listener after the song is long passed. Listening to this song gave me a sense that everything simply will be alright. 

Video Media:

Bojack Horseman: Bojack Horseman is a show that I have been watching on repeat since last spring. This show has been more than just comforting for me throughout the past year, but reassuring and a safe place after every day. The last episode of the show’s particularity has stuck with me, and I rewatch it often as it is the perfect ending for the show, it is both emotional and humorous. The last episode has a different way of saying goodbye to each character, I feel a deep sense of sadness as I have a personal connection and relation with each of the characters. Bojack Horseman touches on themes such as depression, substance abuse, friendship, and loss. Bojack Horseman’s story is depressing, but told in a humorous enjoyable way, which almost tricks you to continue to watch.  

Garden State: It was a rainy cold dark winter day in my house when my parents showed me the movie Garden State. Both my parents and I had covid, and my parents have shown me many movies but Garden State, held a special place in my heart from the first time I watched it. Garden State is an indie film that focuses on a specific character, Braff who is a quite troubled actor/ waiter in Los Angeles, who comes back to his hometown after a decade for his mother’s funeral. After my first time watching this film, I watched it three more times, whether that was by myself or showing my friends. The soundtrack of this movie is what made me love it when the song “Don’t Panic” by Coldplay started to play at the beginning of the film, I knew this would end up being one of my all-time favorite movies. Some other amazing songs that play throughout this film are, “Caring is Creepy,” “New Slang” by The Shins, and “One of These Things First,” by one of my favorite artists of all time, Nick Drake. Nearing the end of the film songs such as, “The Only Living Boy in New York,” sung by Simon & Garfield, and “Such Great Heights,” which is covered by Iron & Wine, help create an even more emotional scene for the watchers at the end of the film. 

Emergency Intercom: Emergency intercom is a podcast whose hosts are Drew Philips and Enya Umanzor. Emergency Intercom has single handling gotten me through this stressful, overwhelming, intense, and confusing school year. Each episode filled with humor and relatable content never fails to put a smile on my face. Both Enya and Drew have a way of creating a space that is non-judgmental and comforting. Each Friday is a little better with the release of a new episode. Throughout this podcast, Enya and Drew speak about almost everything and anything. This is by far my favorite podcast.

Books: 

The End of Loneliness: The End of Loneliness, is a book that I read at the beginning of the school year and have continued to think about it since, and even re-read it. The End of Loneliness follows a young, traumatized, confused boy who just experienced the death of his parents and is then moved to a boarding school along with his older brother and sister. While at the boarding school he falls in love with his best friend. This book follows the main character’s childhood, teenage years, and adulthood, and his relationships throughout his life whether that is with his siblings, his first love, or himself. It is an amazing book, filled with many emotional peaks. There are multiple references to musicians throughout the book, such as a reference to the album Pink Moon by Nick Drake, which is an album I reviewed earlier in the year. As well as a reference to Elliott Smith, who is one of my favorite musicians of all time. The End Of Loneliness is devastatingly beautiful and heartbreaking. The author, Benedict Wells confronts death, loss, and grief.  It is simply one of the best books that I have read, as it is filled with strong, emotive metaphors paired with captivating imagery. 

Film For Her: In the book Film For Her Orien Carloto shares her beautifully personal poetry, paired with film photography which creates dreamlike imagery in the reader’s mind. Film For Her is a storybook of memories, people, places, and moments that were captured on film and written throughout her poetry. The emotions throughout the book are relatable to anyone, even though you may have had very different experiences. Carloto allows the readers to reach into the past and look back on important, or maybe not so important moments, find comfort in the present, and make sense of the future. As someone who has spent a lot of time writing poetry, I found myself getting inspired by her work, as I haven’t written poetry as much as I once did. This book allowed me to look back on moments throughout my life, that may have gone overlooked, but helped shape me to be the person I am today. After taking almost a year, without writing poetry due to burnout from school, or simply lack of time, after reading Film For Her I found myself writing more than I had in months, and it was quite refreshing.